Did the Craft Cottage Save Their Marriage? :)

 

What a surprise when organized, disciplined Bob with a Marine's spirit walked into this widow woman's unorganized, creative, spontaneous life. Bob was an empty nester with a quiet apartment neatly serving up abstract art in black lacquered frames on its pristine white walls. I still had two children at home (out of five) to raise and sported handpainted red, pink, and yellow cherries on my turquoise walls. (That was just the kitchen.) Bob worked out of neat folders and files in an office away from home, and I worked all over my house out of bins and tins, baskets and boxes that were in constant states of volcanic eruptions of paint, fabric, paper, and "vintage stuff." Bob just didn't understand the "vintage stuff".

 

 

So, after we married and had several exuberant discussions about my "vintage stuff", he so kindly offered me his old storage building. I graciously accepted and immediately thought of it as my Craft Cottage. This is how it made its debut appearance at our newlywed home.

Bob worked really hard getting the Craft Cottage's plain interior up to my cuteness criteria. Many hours of love went into putting in electrical, insulation...and other details that did not pertain to the cuteness factor. It was really what I call yucky on the inside at first.

But, the plan started coming together.  

 

Once Bob completed the inside job, he left me to turn my creative space into my dream Craft Cottage. What a guy!

What do I create and enjoy doing?

• collage with vintage greeting cards, magazines, and materials
• I sew- in a so-so sort of way- especially like using vintage fabrics and patterns
• paint - simple but kitschy is my style
• decopauge- anything that stands still long enough
• love to wear, buy, and sell vintage clothing
• collecting old wallpaper, wrapping paper, fabric for my projects
• buttons! crazy about vintage buttons, oh and trims too...rick rack and such
• love the art on old patterns
• aprons are divine
• reworking, redoing, saving old worn out furniture, frames, boxes,
• things that just catch my fancy!

 

The fun began when I started moving in! Here is a part of my sewing area.

I began sorting through fabric and moving in my new space...this is a teeny tiny portion of my stash. There is more. Lots more.

 

 

I obtained a freebie desk and gave it a makeover.

That became a work area in my Craft Cottage. Drawers are full of cards and all sorts of paper crafting supplies.

Here is one of my favorite spots in my Craft Cottage. I could just stand and look at all the goodness.

My little inspiration board:

My dress form with my handkerchiefs displayed:

My old phone that serves no purpose except to make me happy:

Yummy paints, pom-poms and whimsy...

 Fun storage:

No sew curtains added to the wall with gigantic clothes pins:

My Craft Cottage is still a work in progress (as is our blended family.) So many things  to look forward to accomplishing together. I'm so grateful for my creative space to do my thing. Knowing it was born out of my husband's love makes it very special. Yes, AND and his insatiable need for order and sanity in his life. Who knew sanity could be so cute?

Make sure you visit Where Bloggers Create by clicking on the button at the beginning of this post and then participating in Pink Saturday at Beverly's over at How Sweet the Sound!
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

  
  
 
  
  

 

 

Comments

[save a failing marriage]

This is fantastic, extremely creative.

Thanks,

James

[Corinna]

Your craft cottage is lovely! I think I gasped when I saw the pink dresser. It's absolutely beautiful!

Corinna

[marnie]

How cute is your cottage! Love how you transformed it from a baic shed to an crafter extravaganza. Kudos to your hubby for helping make your little paradise

That pink dresser is uber adorable as is the dressform and your fun inspiration board.

You must have tons fun creating in your colorful studio! :D

[Sherry Ferguson]

How fun is that!!! So bright and playful and fun!! I am trying to finish up the list of where bloggers create link party... It is taking me a while. But I am determined. Love to drool over others craft areas... I have only been blogging for about 3 wks but I would be honored if you would stop by for a visit at http://scrappingwithsherry1.blogspot.com Take care~ Sherry

[Michelle]

LOVE THAT!!!

[Sharee Burton]

Now that's what I call true LOVE! It seems like your opposite personalities and styles really complement each other to make your circle complete. Love your space.

[Sherry]

I am still working through the list of creative spaces and am so glad I came to visit yours today. It is sooo cute and I just love all of the color. I know it would be a wonderful space to spend some time creating and just being. Thanks for sharing.

[Beverly]

Oh, Melony. I love it all, and I can certainly see why you do, too. What a wonderful and inspiration spot for creating.

Have you changed your e-mail address? The Pink Saturday e-mail I send is being returned as undeliverable.

[Robin]

I have loved your craft cottage since I first saw it! You are SO LUCKY to have such a supportive husband to do this for you!
On second thought...what husband wouldn't want this stuff out of their living space! I might have to do some convincing and get my own craft cottage!

[Renee]

What a sweet new hubby.

And what a wonderful craft cottage.

Thanks for sharing.

[Lynnae]

I love it! You may not needed it to 'save' your marriage, but it sure is nice of him!
I LOVE the photo of the sewing area with the pink ironing board cover and little dress form. Cute!!!!!!

[Connie]

What a nice compromise. Cute studio just bubbling with personality. Thanks so much for sharing. Connie

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

I love your creative space! What a lovely gesture to literally give you your own space to create in. I love how you have everything organized and set up. I think your pink dresser is my favorite!

[[email protected]]

And I thought I had a sweet husband, you've got it made. Love the colors you used to decorate with and your storage ideas.

[Halle G]

My goodness....what a cool cottage!

[donna joy]

what a great guy you have. A wonderful, whimsical place too-love the pink dresser!

[Terri G.]

Charming, adorable, sweet are the words that come to mind to describe your creative cottage. Thanks so much for sharing it all and the story with us!

[Mary Anne]

You certainly have a special guy to work so hard to make you happy. Lucky you to have a craft cottage to create in. Love your display of vintage patterns. Thanks so much for the visit.

[Karen Valentine]

Melony I loved this story!!! My sweetie is here in the room with me scraping the popcorn ceiling texture off out bedroom ceiling. I had to read it out load to him. He laughed with me. It was such a sweet post. I just love hearing stories like that. You craft cottage is just darling and I'm sure will bring you so much pleasure over the years. Thank you for sharing it with all of us!!
xo,
Karen
My Desert Cottage

[Anna Matthews]

A great story and a great guy, your space is fantastic. The colors are so fun and your vintage finds are awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[Jillayne]

Very cute! I love your desk makeover - pink too! What a great guy, or maybe ... what a SMART guy to get you your own space so your bins of vintageness have a special place. Thanks for sharing and I'll be back for sure!

[Kathy]

Loved the back story and love all your creative touches. That pink dresser is to die for and the hankies on the lamp shade is fab. Thank you for sharing!

[kimberly shaw]

Absolutely adore your craft cottage! The colors are marvelous, your style is charming, and the tour delightful! LOVE IT!!!

[Liz]

OMG! Are you kidding me!? I LOVE this! What a wonderful place to create!!!! Darling!!

~Liz

[Claudia]

I've always loved seeing your Craft Cottage! Lucky you! It is charming and in my favorite colors!

xo
Claudia